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Power everywhere but no 220 230 or 240

12-15-2007, 06:59 AM

I live in a place where I have power but all of it is 110v and I can't install a 220v outlet (I don't own the place). My stove is gas run, and dryer is one of those 110v high efficiency models. But I think I can steal opposite phases from some of my outlets to "make" a 220v outlet. I need advice as to what CAN be done and what is too unsafe or impossible. Note this product: http://www.quick220.com/220_catalog.htm which basically takes two 110v lines and compares them to see if they are out of phase, and if so, engages relays to send power from the opposite hot leads of the two incoming outlets to the outlets on the front of the device. This thing only handles 4400 watts (mostly because of wire and relays rated at 20A), but I know how to build it to handle more (not that outlets go any higher). Would it be safe to run a welder off one of these for 150-200 amp tig welding?

Suppose I didn't go the 220-double-hot route. If I hooked plugs from in-phase 110v outlets together for more current, would I be up to my knees in danger? I know that outlets from different parts of a house can have different wire resistances and different voltages, but supposing I found in-phase outlets that were near each other, would this work? I have a multimeter.

How much amperage can a maxstar 150 or 200 draw at maximum power settings with 110v? Don't show me the datasheet, I want advice about this last question from a moderator.

A 110v high effeciency model dryer eh? Well I bet THAT plug will have the biggest wire and breaker then and prolly "safer" than anything as far as liability goes, if you were to get caught somehow
What are going to be welding btw?

Comment

You should probably stay away from this.
Even if the outlet feedwires are the better 12AWG and outlets reated for 20 amp and the breakers are rated for 20amp also, AND you do luck out and find 2 that are opposite legs, just from you posting and additude, you will more then likely hurt yourself or burn the structure down.
I know how you feel, I only had 120v in my garage til I ran more to it.

Comment

I live in a place where I have power but all of it is 110v and I can't install a 220v outlet (I don't own the place). My stove is gas run, and dryer is one of those 110v high efficiency models. But I think I can steal opposite phases from some of my outlets to "make" a 220v outlet. I need advice as to what CAN be done and what is too unsafe or impossible. Note this product: http://www.quick220.com/220_catalog.htm which basically takes two 110v lines and compares them to see if they are out of phase, and if so, engages relays to send power from the opposite hot leads of the two incoming outlets to the outlets on the front of the device. This thing only handles 4400 watts (mostly because of wire and relays rated at 20A), but I know how to build it to handle more (not that outlets go any higher). Would it be safe to run a welder off one of these for 150-200 amp tig welding?

Suppose I didn't go the 220-double-hot route. If I hooked plugs from in-phase 110v outlets together for more current, would I be up to my knees in danger? I know that outlets from different parts of a house can have different wire resistances and different voltages, but supposing I found in-phase outlets that were near each other, would this work? I have a multimeter.

How much amperage can a maxstar 150 or 200 draw at maximum power settings with 110v? Don't show me the datasheet, I want advice about this last question from a moderator.

Throw your multimeter away and buy fire insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comment

Before you go any further you need to determine if you do indeed have 220-240V available to you from the main box. You may not.
We leased a farm and house for a few years where no 220V was available.
How? The main drop was feed into a transformer that dropped the incoming 240V down to 120V so that a balanced load was always drawn from the meter resulting in a very resonable electric bill
A Maxstar 150 on 115V at 150 amp output in TIG mode will draw 28 Amps

Comment

I'm welding whatever I can weld. I might have to taper the edges to do thicker steel. Just answer my questions.

How much amperage can a maxstar 150 or 200 draw at maximum power settings with 110v? Don't show me the datasheet, I want advice about this last question from a moderator.

Where in the He!! do some of these people come from?

If you want some help or advice the best way to do it is curb the attitude and demanding nature, ask in a civilized manner and you may actually get people like me (and I'm sure many others) who could give some input and advice to help you out. Dave

If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!

Comment

I think the best thing for you to do in this situation is the get in the bath tub with it full of water..... plug it your maxstar and drop it into the water with you.....that should get just about all of the stupid out of you.....then come back and we will see what we can do to help you out.
Mike

George W. Bush was saving your butt whether you liked it or not!
Fear is temporary, regret is forever
HH210 with SG

Comment

if you have a max star 150 or 200 you would do best to just use the dryer outlet as its likely to be the largest wire and breaker in the house. just stick to 120V. even if you don't burn down the house you will get thrown out of the building for even the slightest alteration to the power system. the jumper you ask about is just going to get you into trouble. buy a 120V capable welder and use it. although truth be told if any one finds out you are welding in the apartment you will likely be looking for a new place to live really fast. the Dyn 200 has been run up to 195 amp's on 120V power, i would suspect the max star (the DC only version) would act similarly. keeping in mind your duty cycle will be next to nil at that point. good luck to ya.

i agree 100% with the others about your attitude, a lil work there would go a long way to getting help. wile it may be true not many will bother to reach out and smack you over it, there is a lot of knowledge here to be had if you don't piss every one off. but its your bridge, burn it if you want.

thanks for the help
......or..........
hope i helped
sigpic feel free to shoot me an e-mail direct i have time to chat.james@newyorkmetalart.comsummer is here, plant a tree. if you don't have space or time to plant one sponsor some one else to plant one for you. a tree is an investment in our planet, help it out.
JAMES

Comment

Like I said, it is possible that he may just be "IGNORANT" as to what a forum is. Perhaps he thinks we all work for Miller, like a huge extended customer service division.

So here is a customer service type of answer . . .

Sir, regardless of where you live, there is a service panel. Install the appropriate sized breaker, run a short run with the appropriate wire size to the appropriate receptacle. Build large extension cord with appropriate size wire. This should all be done by a licensed electrical professional. Before doing anything contact the inspection department of your local municipality. Oh yes don't forget to take out that permit first.